Display unit communication system, communication method, display unit, communication circuit, and terminal adapter

ABSTRACT

A display data packet contains identification information. A display unit communication system comprises a control unit, a terminal adaptor to which a terminal adaptor ID is assigned and which is connected to the control unit, and a display unit to which a display unit ID is assigned and which is connected to the terminal adaptor in series and drives a display element according to the display data packet supplied from the control unit. The terminal adaptor receives a display data packet the terminal adaptor ID of which agrees with that contained in the identification information and transfers the display data packet to the display unit. The display unit receives the display data packet the display unit ID of which agrees with that contained in the identification information, and drives the display element to display an image.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This invention relates to a lighting apparatus having a controlunit providing a plurality of display units, which are lighting units,with lighting information such as image data, and the display unitsdriving light emitting elements based on the lighting informationprovided by the control unit, and a communication method thereof.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] Recently, high performance red, green and blue LEDs (hereafteralso called light emitting diodes), which can emit in high brightness,has been developed, so that full-color LED displaying has achieved.Among large size display apparatuses, LED display apparatuses, whichhave advantages such as high brightness, long-life, lightweight and soon, are popularized quickly. Further more, its uses become diversified,so that a system which can adapt flexibly to various applications suchas large size TVs, billboards, traffic information boards, threedimensional display apparatuses, lightings and so on, is needed.

[0003] The various screen size and pixel pitch displays having LEDsbecome used from outdoor use larger size displays such as for billboardsto relatively small size displays in semi-indoor such as platformsdepending on purpose and place. Also, vertical-horizontal ratio (aspectratio) tends to change, for example, when high vision image such as HDTVis displayed on LED, it should comply with increased image data size andfurther enlargement of display panel size. In addition, when thedisplays selectively illuminate billboards or articles or the like,various units should be assembled each other similarly (the display unitaccording to this invention includes these various applications). Inhighly intelligent information network, displays are also required to becompatible for connection with communication infrastructure to beremote-controlled for display or maintenance or the like.

[0004] For example there is one of the displays, which is LED displayhaving a plurality of LED units assembled in matrix corresponding todisplay size or aspect ratio of vertical-horizontal ratio, or the like,works as modularized LED units disposing 16×16 dot of LEDs in matrix. AnLED display 801 is shown as its example in FIG. 17. Plural distributors804 connected with a controller 803 are disposed corresponding to eachcolumns of LED units 802 to provide LED units 802 with image data fordisplay and various control signals.

[0005] The controller 803 generates a control signal 820, for example asynchronizing clock for image data, a horizontal synchronizing signal, avertical synchronizing signal, a blank signal, a gradation referencesignal and a latch signal of the image data and so on, and provides eachof the LED units 802 with the control signal 820 via the distributors804. The full-color image data 810 for displaying, which are transmittedfrom the distributors 804 to each of the LED units 802, are required tohave image data of at least each colors of RGB (red, green, blue). Bitwidth of the image data is determined based on resolution range ofgradation.

[0006] For example, in case each colors is displayed in 256 gradationrange, an image data bus needs 8 bit width for each of three colors.These image data are provided for LED units 802 with time-sharing in thenumber represented by (number of the LED unit)×(number of the displayingdots). The image data 810 are provided with bit shift in shift resister805 of each the LED units 802. When predetermined number of the data areprovided, the data are latched then captured as the image data 810 fordisplaying, the image data can be displayed.

[0007] However, in such LED display apparatuses, the image data 810 fordisplaying is transferred between the controller 803, the distributors804, and the LED units 802 via parallel bus which is a signal interface,and synchronizing clock which synchronizes with the image data, and thevarious control signals 820 are supplied. Because of this, the more theLED display apparatuses get high definition or large sized display, themore signal lines are required. Especially, these days the displayscreen size tends to be enlarged and number of the LED units beincreased, and these increased and elongated signal lines may causeproblems such as deformation and influence to noise of pulse width ofthe gradation signal and the synchronizing clock.

[0008] Also, to be ready for HDTV specifications, aspect ratio of screenmight be changed and more LED units to be connected are thereforeneeded. This results in higher transferring speed of the image data.Increasing the number of connection of the LED units causes deformationof the pulse of each signals, especially input and output timing withthe image data and the synchronizing clock gets more difficult.

[0009] Further, requirement level for displaying image quality of theLED display apparatuses is getting higher and higher year by year, aswell as downsizing LED, thus further development of an LED displaytechnology which can show high definition become urgent. To achieve highdefinition of image, resolution of gradation must be increased.Specifically, the data bus specification must be changed, for example,image data bus width for display should be changed from conventional 8bit to 10 bit. In addition, to achieve high definition, LED size shouldbe smaller so as dot pitch width to be narrower. If dot pitch width gotsmaller, the LED unit size would be smaller proportionately.Consequently content ratio of mounted articles such as connectors tendsto be higher because of increased image data bus width.

[0010] Further more, conventional LED display apparatuses could notcommunicate in common communication way among various LED displayapparatuses which have different number of pixels per unit or displaygradation.

[0011] To solve these problems, we suggested an LED display apparatus,which drives LED units by transferring data formatted in ATM(Asynchronous transfer Mode) packet form added with identifyinginformation assigned to each of the LED units, disclosed in JapaneseLaid-Open Publication TOKU-KAI-HEI-126047 (1999). Also, we suggested anLED display apparatus having automatic ID assigning means adding uniqueidentifying information of each of LED display units after connectionbetween the LED units completed to simplify setting among the LED units,disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Publication TOKU-KAI-2000-221934 (2000).

[0012] However, considering more high definition, and more complicatedcombination of the LED units or high flexible design, there are notenough, and further improvement is needed.

[0013] It is an object of the present invention to provide a lightingapparatus, communication method, a display unit, a communication circuitand a terminal adaptor thereof, which is capable of various applicationsflexibly.

[0014] Disclosure of the Invention

[0015] To achieve the above object, there is provided in accordance withthe present invention a lighting apparatus comprising a control unitproviding display data packets set destination of communication byidentifying information to a plurality of display units, at least oneterminal adaptors which is assigned terminal adaptor ID, and connectedwith the control unit electrically via upper communication line, thedisplay units disposing at least one light emitting elements in whichdisplay unit ID is assigned and electrically connected in series withthe terminal adaptor via lower communication line, and drives each ofthe disposed light emitting elements based on the display data packetssupplied by the control unit.

[0016] According to the present invention, there is also provided thelighting apparatus in which the display data packet includes al leastthe terminal adaptor ID and the display unit ID as the identifyinginformation, the terminal adaptor receives the display data packethaving the identifying information in which terminal adaptor ID matchesthe terminal adaptor ID assigned to the terminal adoptor own, andtransfers the display data packet to the display units via the lowercommunication line. The display unit receives the display data packethaving the identifying information which display unit ID matches thedisplay unit ID added to the display unit, and drives the light emittingelements based on the display data packets.

[0017] According to the present invention, there is further provided thelighting apparatus in which the control unit transfers frame cycle startpacket stating start of frame cycle in which the control unit adds theidentifying information stating to be received by all of the displayunits. The display unit performs frame synchronizing based on the framecycle start packet. Accordingly, the lighting apparatus can performframe synchronizing even among display units connected serially.

[0018] Further, in the lighting apparatus according to the presentinvention, the display unit has a memory storing at least the displaydata, memory space in the memory is allocated data area based on circuitconstitution in the display unit in advance. The control unit transfersdisplay data packet to control the display units by accessingpredetermined allocated memory area of the display unit in advance.Accordingly, the lighting apparatus achieves various controls of thedisplay units using the display data packet.

[0019] Further more, in a lighting apparatus according to the presentinvention comprises, a control unit providing display data packets to aplural display units, at least one terminal adaptors assigned terminaladaptor ID, and having a terminal adaptor side communication sectionconnected with the control unit electrically via upper communicationline, the display units disposing at least one light emitting elements,and assigned display unit ID, having a display unit side communicationsection connected with the terminal adaptor electrically via lowercommunication line, and driving at least one the disposed light emittingelements based on the display data packets provided by the control unit.In addition, the terminal adaptors and/or the display units are arrangedin n rows (n is integer which is two or more), each of the communicationsections are connected each other serially at each rows, thecommunication section for the terminal adaptors and/or the display unitsconnected at end position of the lowest stream in m-th row (m isinteger, which is 1≦m≦n−1) farest from the control unit is connectedwith the communication section of the terminal adaptors and/or thedisplay units disposed in (m+1)-th row at end position of same side asthe communication section of the terminal adaptors and/or the displayunits connected at end position of the lowest stream in m-th row fromthe control unit.

[0020] Further, the invention is characterized by that communication ofthe upper communication line is higher speed communication thancommunication of the lower communication line. Accordingly, the lightingapparatus can communicate with each of the display units in high speedat lower cost.

[0021] Further more, a communication method according to the presentinvention using display data packets in a lighting apparatus whichcomprises a control unit providing display data packets to a pluralityof display units, at least one terminal adaptors assigned terminaladaptor ID and connected with the control unit electrically via uppercommunication line, the display units having an display section, whichdrives at least one disposed light emitting elements based on thedisplay data packets provided by control unit, a memory having memoryspace according to number of color tones constituting one pixel andgradation number, assigned display unit ID, and connected with theterminal adaptor electrically via lower communication line. In thecommunication method, wherein the display data packet has at leastidentifying information area retaining the terminal adaptor ID and thedisplay unit ID, memory space allotting area allotting memory space ofthe display units to be input, display data area constituted by displaydata corresponding to disposition of the light emitting elements, andnumber of color tones constituting one pixel and gradation number.

[0022] Further more, to achieve the above-mentioned object, a displayunit according to the present invention comprises, a display sectiondisposing a plurality of pixels, each of which composed by at least onelight emitting elements in matrix, a communication section performingpacket communication, a memory storing at least one frame display data,a driving section driving each of the light emitting elements of thedisplay section. In addition, the display unit further comprises acontrol section generating blank signal stating start of driving cycleof each line based on frame cycle start packet stating start of framecycle received by the communication section. The driving section readsthe display data stored in the memory based on the blank signalcorresponding to each of line, and drives each of the light emittingelements to display image at the display section.

[0023] Further, in the display according to the present invention, thememory further stores shift timing data stating time from receiving theframe cycle start packet to generating the blank signal, the controlsection generates the blank signal based on the shift timing data afterreceiving the frame cycle start packet. Accordingly, high inrush currentat turn-on of light emitting elements can be scattered to each of thelines.

[0024] Further, the display unit according to the present invention,wherein the memory has two or more image data memory areas,storing thedisplay data per frame, and while displaying image in the displaysection based on the display data stored in one of the image data memoryareas, stores the display data received by the communication sectioninto the other image data memory areas. Accordingly, the display canhave enough time to receive display data.

[0025] Further more, a communication circuit according to the presentinvention comprises, a first communication section having a firsttransmitting section and a first receiving section, a secondcommunication section having a second transmitting section and a secondreceiving section, a communication control section controllingcommunication of the first communication section and the secondcommunication section respectively, receiving processing sectionperforming receiving process based on received communication data. Thefirst communication section and the second communication sectiondiscriminates predetermined communication data. If either the firstcommunication section or the second communication section receives thepredetermined communication data, the communication control sectioncontrols to input the communication data received by one of thecommunication sections receiving the predetermined communication data tothe receiving processing section, and to input the communication datareceived another communication sections to the transmitting section ofone of the communication sections receiving the predeterminedcommunication data without inputting the communication data received byanother communication sections to the receiving processing section.

[0026] Further, the communication circuit according to the presentinvention comprises a response processing section which performstransferring process of the communication data, a first selector whichconnects either the second receiving section or the response processingsection with the first transmitting section,a second selector whichconnects either the first receiving section or the response processingsection with the second transmitting section, a third selector whichconnects either the first receiving section or the second receivingsection with the receiving processing section. The communication controlsection controls the first selector and the second selector to controlto input the communication data received at either the first or secondcommunication sections which has received the predeterminedcommunication data into receiving processing section and thetransmitting section of the communication section based on signalindicating either the first or second communication section has receivedpredetermined communication data, and controls third selector to controlto input the communication data received by the other communicationsections receiving the predetermined communication data to thetransmitting section which received the predetermined communication datawithout inputting the communication data into the receiving processingsection. Accordingly, bi-directional communication is utilized by simplecircuitry.

[0027] Further, in the communication circuit according to the presentinvention, the first receiving section and the second receiving sectionreceive converting input serial communication data into parallel data,and the first transmitting section and the second transmitting sectiontransfer with converting input parallel data into serial communicationdata. Accordingly, signal disturbance caused by delay at element ofreceived communication data can be corrected. In addition, the receivingprocess section can perform process in high rate.

[0028] Further more, a display unit according to the present inventionhas the above-mentioned communication circuit. The display unit furthercomprises a display section constituted by at least one light emittingelements, a communication circuit communicating display data, a memorystoring at least one frame of the display data based on the display datareceived by the communication circuit.

[0029] Further more, a terminal adaptor according to the presentinvention comprises the above-mentioned communication circuit capable tocommunicate with another terminal adaptors connected serially. Theterminal adaptor comprises a memory storing communication data receivedby the communication circuit, a communication section transferring thecommunication data stored in the memory to other terminals.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030]FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a display unit communicationsystem according to the present invention.

[0031]FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a display unit communicationsystem according to the present invention.

[0032]FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic of a control unitaccording to the present invention.

[0033]FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic of a terminaladaptor according to the present invention.

[0034]FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a schematic of a terminaladaptor according to the present invention.

[0035]FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a schematic of a communicationsection of a terminal adaptor according to the present invention.

[0036]FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a schematic of a display unitaccording to the present invention.

[0037]FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a schematic of a communicationsection of a display unit according to the present invention.

[0038]FIG. 9 is a display unit control address space of a display unitcommunication system according to the present invention.

[0039]FIG. 10 is a data configuration of a command data packet accordingto the present invention.

[0040]FIG. 11 is a data configuration of a response data packetaccording to the present invention.

[0041]FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of a display unit communicationsystem according to the present invention, which has a display dividedinto display areas having different displaying way.

[0042]FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of a display communication systemaccording to the present invention applying to a sphericalthree-dimensional display.

[0043]FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a schematic of an LED displayunit according to the present invention.

[0044]FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of a memory area of a memory spaceof a memory of an LED display unit according to the present invention.

[0045]FIG. 16 is a timing chart showing image displaying control of anLED display unit communication system.

[0046]FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram of a related display unitcommunication system.

BEST MODE TO CARRY OUT THE INVENTION

[0047] To describe the invention in detail, each constitution isdescribed with attached drawings below.

[0048] [A Schema of a Display Unit Communication System]

[0049] A schematic of a lighting apparatus according to the presentinvention is shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. In embodiments according to thepresent invention described below, communication system of display unitsdisplaying motion pictures or still pictures is described as thelighting apparatus. 10 is a display displaying based on display datasuch as image to be displayed. The display 10 constitutes an displaysection, and is divided into a plurality of display blocks 10 b.Further, a plurality of display units 3 are disposed in each displayblocks 10 b. A control unit (CU) 1 is connected with a video processor11 providing image source to be displayed such as display data and acomputer (PC) 12 performing control of the display 10 etc. by controldata respectively. The control unit also communicates with terminaladaptors (TA) 2 corresponding to the display block 10 b via firstcommunication line L1. Further more, each of the terminal adaptors 2communicates display units 3 housed in the display block 10 b etc. viasecond communication line L2. In addition, the computer 12 is connectedwith network.

[0050] Here, the connection is composed in two hierarchical layers,including first communication line L1 is upper layered communicationline and second communication line L2 is lower layered communicationline. Nevertheless hierarchical layers can be constituted three or morethan three layers. In this case, the terminal adaptors are disposedcorresponding to the layers, while deformation of the data would bereduced, higher definition displaying would be utilized. Also, using thecommunication system as a lighting apparatuses, the units can bedisposed at various places individually as a plurality of light source.

[0051] [A Schema of Connection Among The Terminal Adaptors]

[0052] The terminal adaptor 2, which discriminates the display datacorresponding to the display block 10 b and transfers the needed displaydata to each of the displays 3, is disposed in the display block 10 b.On the other hand, each of the terminal adaptors 2 is electricallyconnected in serial with the control unit 1 via the first communicationline L1. Besides, the connection between the control unit 1 and theterminal adaptors 2 can be applied not only to wire communication butalso wireless communication. In this case, installation of the displayunits connected to the terminal adaptors could be more flexible.

[0053] In case the terminal adaptors 2 are disposed in each rows, asshown in FIG. 1, the first communication line L1 connects the terminaladaptor 2 connected at upstream position viewed from the control unit 1in m-th row (m is integer and one or more) with the neighbor terminaladaptor 2 in the row one after another serially. Next, the firstcommunication line L1 connects the terminal adaptor 2 connected at endof the m-th row with the terminal adaptor 2 in (m+1)-th row disposed atopposite side position against the terminal adaptor 2 connected at theupstream position in the m-th row. Then, the first communication line L1connects electrically the terminal adaptor 2 connected at upstreamposition from the control unit 1 in (m+1)-th row with the neighborterminal adaptor in the row one after another serially in directiontoward the terminal adaptor side connected at the upstream position inm-th row. The connection of the terminal adaptors 2 is preferable.

[0054] By using the above constitution, the first communication line L1can be shorter for return edge of each row to be connected in thedisplay block 10 b. Especially, because the communication lines tends tobe elongated for larger size display, pulse deformation of thecommunication data and influence upon noise could be worse, it istherefore important to shorten the length of the communication lines. Inaddition, cost reduction for the communication line is anotheradvantage.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 2, the connection can be applied such that thefirst communication line L1 connects terminal adaptor 2 connected atupstream position in each rows at the same side of the row. Besides, inthis invention, “connecting electrically” includes not only physicalconnection by wire such as lead wire, communication line and so on, butalso data transferable connection by wireless.

[0056] Further more, TAID (terminal adaptor ID) to be assigned to eachof the terminal adaptors 2 includes common TAID, which is received fromcommunication unit 1 commonly by all of the terminal adaptors. To assignthe TAID, automatic ID setting command data is transmitted, which iscommand data commanding each of the terminal adaptors to set their ownTAID. The terminal adaptor 2, which received the automatic ID settingcommand data, computes data of control data area of the automatic IDsetting command data by predetermined calculation, and then memoriescomputed data from the predetermined algorithm as its own TAID. Afterthen, the terminal adaptor 2 transfers the calculated data obtained bythe predetermined algorithm to next terminal adaptor 2 as control data.For example, the control unit 1 may transfer the automatic ID settingcommand data, which control data area is set as “0”, and thepredetermined algorithm may be addition “+1” to the data. Alternatively,the control unit 1 may transfer the automatic ID setting command data,which control data area is set as maximum value, and the predeterminedalgorithm may be subtraction of “−1” from the data. Thus, initialsetting TAID can be done by the control unit according to the sequenceof the connection of first communication line L1.

[0057] [A Schema of Connection Among The Display Units]

[0058] Likewise, the connection of each display unit 3 in the displayblock 10 b can also be made as the same. Each of the display units 3 iselectrically connected to the terminal adaptor 2 via the secondcommunication line L2 in series. The connection between the terminaladaptor and display units or among the display units may be utilized notonly by wire communication but also wireless communication same asbetween the control unit and the terminal adaptors. Also, wirelesscommunication may be employed as the connection between the control unitand the terminal adaptors, and wire communication be employed as theconnection between the terminal adaptor and lower layers.

[0059] In case the display units 3 are arranged at each line of rows,the second communication line L2 connects the display unit 3 connectedat upstream position viewed from the terminal adaptor 2 in m-th row withthe neighbor display unit 3 in the row one after another serially. Next,the second communication line L2 connects the display unit 3 connectedat end of the m-th row with row of the display unit 3 in (m+1)-th rowdisposed at opposite side position against the display unit 3 connectedat the upstream position in the m-th row. Then, the second communicationline L2 connects electrically the display unit 3 connected at upstreamposition from terminal unit 2 in (m+1)-th row with the neighbor displayunit in the row one after another serially in direction toward thedisplay unit side connected at the upstream in m-th row. The connectionof the display unit 3 is preferable.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 2, another connection may be employed as thesecond communication line L2 connects display unit 3 connected atupstream position in each row at the same side of the row. ID settingfor display unit 3 may also be done by same as above terminal adapter.Combination of the connection shown in the FIG. 1 and the connectionshown in the FIG. 2 can be applied to the connection of the terminaladaptors or the display units. For example, connection among theterminal adaptors can be applied by connection shown in FIG. 1, andconnection among the display units can be applied by connection shown inFIG. 2. Further more, direction of the connection can be applied notonly in the row direction, but also in column direction or obliquedirection or the like.

[0061] [A Schema of The Control Unit]

[0062]FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic of the control unit1. The control unit 1 receives the display data such as the image sourcefrom the video processor 11 or an image player via an image inputinterface 11 b 1, and stores the display data in an image data memory131 as digital data by frame. Further, the control unit 1 has acommunication interface 11 b 2 connected with an external control devicesuch as the computer 12, and stores control data from the externalcontrol device in a control data memory 132. The control unit 1 controlsinternal control of the control unit, transfers correcting data ordisplay unit control data or the like to the display units based on thecontrol data stored in the control data memory 132, and further receivesdisplay unit internal information transferred from the display units 3and so on. A communication section 11 a formats the image data such asthe display data and control data and so on into communication format ofpredetermined asynchronous transmission system to communicate with theterminal adaptors, and performs communication process between theterminal adaptors.

[0063] A select circuit SEL outputs data to the communication section 11a via line A connected with the image data memory 131 or line Bconnected with the control data memory 132 alternatively.

[0064] The control unit 1 precedently stores the terminal adaptor ID andthe display unit ID corresponding to the display data to be displayedaccording to the connection of the terminal adaptors 2 and display units3 in the control data memory.

[0065] [A Schema of The Control Unit]

[0066]FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the terminaladaptor (also called distributing process section), which has acommunication section 21 b having a plurality of communication sections21 b 1, 21 b 2, 21 b 3 connected with the second communication line L2.Each of the second line is electrically connected with the display units3 in serial. The terminal adaptor side communication section 21 a hastwo communication ports, and connects between the control unit 1 and theterminal adaptor 3, or between the terminal adaptor 3 and the terminaladaptor 3. In embodiment of the FIG. 4, memory 23 is constituted bymemories 231, 232, 233 corresponding to each of the communicationsections 21 b 1, 21 b 2, 21 b 3 of the terminal adaptor 3. Beside, asshown in FIG. 5, a common memory 23 can be employed corresponding toeach of the communication section 21 b 1, 21 b 2, 21 b 3 with memoryaddress control section, which is constituted by direct memory accesscontroller (DMAC) for example, controlling transmission of the data. Onthe other hand, control section controls internal process of theterminal adaptor.

[0067] In the invention, the terminal adaptor is a device havingfunction, which connects lighting units such as LED etc. with thecontrol unit controlling the lighting units directly or indirectly todistribute the data for various controls, correction, maintenances andso on via network. Especially, in the invention, packet information forlighting control of the LED units from the control unit can betransferred in packet format from the control unit to the LED units viathe terminal adaptor. In this case, it is not necessary to provideseveral cables to control a plurality of the LED unit connected with theterminal adaptor. Particularly, it is easy that number of the LED unitscan be increased or reduced spontaneously, and deformation of signalsuch as crosstalk of signal line for transferring data etc. does notoccur. Further, even number of the LED unit connected per terminaladaptor or number of pixels per LED unit is increased, deformation ofthe display data etc. does not occur, and high definition of LED displayetc. can be constituted easily.

[0068] Transfer speed between the terminal adaptor and the LED units canbe set lower than between the control unit and the terminal adaptors. Inthis case, the transfer speed to the LED units via the terminal adaptoris set lower, so that the display can be constituted relatively easierand in low costs, even the transferring cable to the LED units hasrestriction such as a waterproof cable etc. Further, even the lightingblock having at least one LED unit is in remote place, the data can betransferred in high speed, so that flexibility of the design can berelatively higher. Therefore, even the blocks having the LED units areremote, for example, one control unit can control two screen formed bythe LED displays. Also, in the lighting system illuminating object to beilluminated from a plurality of points, flexibility of the design can behigh.

[0069] Further, when the system has the control unit providing thepacket information for light displaying, a plurality of the terminaladaptors connected with the control unit to perform distributing processof the packet information, and a plurality of the LED units connectedwith the terminal adaptors for light displaying based on the packetinformation, the packet information includes identifying information forthe terminal adaptors and identifying information for the LED units. Thecontrol unit can transfer a predetermined part of the packet informationcorresponding to the display blocks having a plurality of the LED unitsconnected with the terminal adaptor in k times (k is integer and 2 ormore) repeatedly to each of the terminal adaptors, until all of thepacket information corresponding to the all area of the block to belight-displayed are provided. Accordingly, only need for the terminaladaptor is to have the memory having at least capacity of 1/k of totalpacket information corresponding to the LED units connected with theterminal adaptor itself temporary. After the terminal adaptor receivesthe packet information whose identifying information matches theidentifying information assigned to the terminal adaptor its own, theterminal adaptor transfers the packet information to a plurality of theLED units connected with the terminal adaptor itself. The LED unit has amemory having at least capacity corresponding to the packet of the LEDunit itself temporary. When the LED unit receives the packet informationwhose identifying information matches the identifying informationassigned to the LED unit its own, the LED unit light-displays based onthe packet information.

[0070] Accordingly, the memory capacity of the terminal adaptor insidecan be needed only at least capacity of 1/k of total packet informationof all of the LED display units connected with one terminal adaptor.Further, number of the display units, which can be connected with oneterminal adaptor, is not limited by the memory capacity storing thepacket information inside of the LED unit, so that it the system has onadvantage that connecting between the terminal adaptor and the displayunit can be assembled more flexibly. Further more, when each of the LEDunits has the memory having capacity, which can store the packetinformation corresponding to one LED unit temporary, the memory capacitystoring the packet information of the terminal adaptor inside can beminimized not concerned with connecting form of the LED units, and canbe reduced drastically. Therefore, cost of the total memories of theapparatus to store the packet information can be reduced also.

[0071] Further, it is preferable that the packet information includesthe display data, which is source of image etc., and the control datacontrolling lighting devices such as the LED units, and that the controlunit and the terminal adaptors are connected by the first communicationline, which is common communication line of the display data and thecontrol data.

[0072] Accordingly, the memory capacity storing the packet informationof the terminal adaptor inside can be reduced, so that the control unitand the terminal adaptors can be connected by the first communicationline, which is common communication line of the display data and thecontrol data. Therefore, number of the bus can be reduced effectively,connecting can be simple, and deformation of the data can be reduced.

[0073] Further more, it is preferable that the system has secondcommunication line connecting between the terminal adaptor and the LEDunit, and transfer speed of the second communication line is lower thantransfer speed of the first communication line.

[0074] Thereby, cost of the second communication line can be reducedeffectively.

[0075] [A Schema of The Communication Section of The Terminal Adaptor]

[0076]FIG. 6 is an internal block diagram of the terminal adaptor 2. Thecommunication section 21 a of the terminal adaptor 2 has a firstcommunication section 21 a 1 and a second communication section 21 a 2.As a preferable embodiment, the communication section is constituted inas full-duplex bi-directional operation section, which communicates inbi-directional by two kinds of the communication line, or semi-duplexbi-directional operation section, which communicates in bi-directionalby common communication line. Each of the first communication section 21a 1 and the second communication section 21 a 2 has receiving section 21a 1 r, 21 a 2 r and transmitting section 21 a 1 t, 21 a 2 trespectively. Either of the receiving sections performs receivingprocess of the data from the control unit 1. For example, when the firstreceiving section 21 a 1 r receives the command data from the controlunit 1, “1st ACT” signal turns to active, then a communication controlsection 222 select the received data from the first receiving section 21a 1 r and captures it as the command data into a receiving processingsection 221. In this case, the received data from the second receivingsection 21 a 2 r is not performed receiving process, transferred to thefirst transmitting section 21 a 1 t directly.

[0077] Further, when the second receiving section 21 a 2 r is active,after receiving the command data, a response processing section 223performs transferring process to the control unit 1 via the firsttransmitting section 21 a 1 t. The process mentioned above is alsoperformed similarly, when the second receiving section 21 a 2 r receivesthe command data from the control unit. The communication controlsection 222 discriminates the received command data from either of thereceiving sections based on the “1st ACT” signal and “2nd ACT” signal,and controls a selector SEL3 selecting the receiving process andselectors SEL1, SEL2 selecting transmitting section to transfer theresponse data of the control unit from the response processing section223. Thus, the bi-directional communication control of the terminaladaptor can be performed the receiving process whichever the first orthe second communication ports receives the command data from thecontrol unit 1, and the system having more flexible connecting form ofthe display block 10 b can be constituted.

[0078] Next, after the receiving process, transferring the display dataand the control data from the terminal adaptor 2 to the display unit 3is described. Each of the terminal adaptors 2 can communicates with thedisplay units via a plurality of the second communication line L2. Inembodiments of FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the terminal adaptor has threecommunication ports connected with the second communication line L2, anembodiment of FIG. 6, shows the terminal adaptor has N communicationports, which are display unit interfaces (display unit I/Fs). LINE 1, 2,3 . . . LINE N show number of connecting second communication line L2,every line controls within predetermined number of the display units.Memories 1-N corresponding to each line store the display data to bedisplayed by the display units connected with them. The terminal adaptor2 stores the display data corresponding to one frame in from memory 1 toN in accordance with receiving sequecy. After receiving display datacorresponding to one frame, the display data interfaces LINE_1 to LINE_Ntransfer the display data at the same time based on predeterminedsynchronizing signal to the second communication line L2. Number of thedisplay units to control per one line is determined based on transferspeed, amount of the display data to be needed for one display data fordisplaying. For example, when one line can control M units, the numberof the display units to be able to control per one terminal adaptor iscalculated by N×M. Further, a TG section 224 performs timing control.

[0079] The terminal adaptor 2 is set TAID in initial settingprecedently, stores the TAID its own, and receives received dataselectively based on the TAID.

[0080] [A Schema of The Display Unit]

[0081]FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a schema of the display unit 3.A communication section 31 of the display unit side has two portssimilar to the communication port 21 a of the terminal adaptor, andperforms bi-directional communication process. In the display unit 3,the display data and the control data and so on are allocated topredetermined memory space in the memory 33 corresponding to circuitconfiguration of the internal display unit. It performs control of thedisplay unit 3, which part of the memory space is accessed, or whichdata area of the memory space is written or read, to control from thecontrol unit 1 to the display unit 3.

[0082] When the command data received by the display unit 3 has thedisplay data, the display unit 3 stores the display data into the memory33, after receiving, control section 32 reads the display data. Then,according to line control of a common driver 340, the control section 33transfers the display data for displaying to each of line drivers 341synchronously. Line control by the common driver 340 drives thedisplaying elements row of each line of the display (Matrix Display) 30by changing each of the common line sequently in predetermined cycle. Inthis case, the data to be displayed in each line is allocated every linein the memory; the control section 32 reads the display datacorresponding to line data for displaying from the memory 33. Further,the display unit 3 is not always constituted as the matrix display; thesystem can be constituted with an illumination changeable lightingdevice controlled by an external control device.

[0083]FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the communication section 31 ofthe display unit 3. The command data, which is serial data transferredfrom the terminal adaptor 2 to each of the display unit 3, is convertedinto parallel data in a first receiving section 311 r, then input to areceiving process section 321. The receiving process section 321discriminates whether the identifying information of the input commanddata matches stored ID as the display unit own or not. When ID agrees,the receiving process section 321 performs receiving process based onthe command data. Further, when the receiving process section 321 judgesthat an error happens in the input command data, transfers responsedata, which informs that the error happens in communicating the commanddata, to the control unit 1 via a communication control section 322 anda response processing section 323.

[0084] In addition, when the command discriminated in the receivingprocess section 321 needs to respond to the control unit 1, thereceiving process section 321 transfers the response data to the controlunit 1 based on the command data similarly. In this case, the responsedata is transferred to the control unit 1 from the receiving processsection 321 with code to judge an error of header section, headersection CRC to judge an error of data section, and data section CRC.

[0085] [A Schema of The Command Control]

[0086]FIG. 9 is an embodiment of allocation of display unit controladdress space. In view from the control unit 1 to the terminal adaptor 2and the display unit 3, the control memory space is expressed as shownin FIG. 9, transferring the data to the display unit to be need isperformed by discriminating which address space of the control addressspace corresponds to the data. The control address space is constitutedwith TA control address space discriminated by TAID, display unitcontrol address space discriminated by display unit ID (DUID) in each ofthe terminal adaptor 2, and DU memory map allocated in each of thedisplay units. The DU memory map depends on performance and function ofthe display unit such as matrix constitution, gradation bit width,whether the display unit needs correcting data or not, and so on.Accordingly, the control unit 1 controls display of the display, basedon recognition of type of the display unit 3 in advance.

[0087] Here, the terminal adaptor ID (TAID) can be set 1 to 255, thedisplay unit ID (DUID) can be set 1 to 255, for example, TA0 of the TAIDand DU0 of the DUID can be set as common ID for all of the terminaladaptors and common ID for all of the display units. Further, in thisembodiment, the address space corresponding to the memory 33 of thedisplay unit 3 is constituted by gradation data corresponding to thedisplay data, plate luminance correcting data, luminance correctingdata, and control data and initial setting data.

[0088] [Format of The Command Data (Control Data)]

[0089]FIG. 10 shows a data configuration of the command data packettransferred from the control unit 1 to the terminal adaptors 2 or thedisplay units 3. The command data packet is constituted by headersection and data section. The header section is constituted byidentifying information area stating destination, control type areastating content of the control, control start address area allocatingaddress to be written data of the data section, control data length areastating length of the data section, and header CRC area to checkcommunication error of the header section. For example, the identifyinginformation area has the terminal adaptor ID (TAID) stating destinationof the TA and the display unit ID (DUID) stating destination of thedisplay unit connected with the terminal adaptor. When these arelayered, identifying information corresponding to the layer can be setand assigned additionally. For example, in the control type area, codesuch as initial ID setting, image displaying control, framesynchronizing control, correcting data control, management control etc.is assigned. The control type area can include all the control contentsin each of the command data uniformly, or only data of the controlcontent to be needed.

[0090] The control data area and data section CRC area to checkcommunication error of data section constitutes the data section.Display data to be needed to display in the each of the display unit, IDto be set to each of the terminal adaptor and the display unit in theinitial setting etc. are assigned as data of the data area.

[0091] [Format of The Command Data (Control Data)]

[0092]FIG. 11 shows a data configuration of the response data packettransferred from the terminal adaptors 2 and the display unit 3 to thecontrol unit 1. The response data packet is also constituted by headersection and data section. The header section is constituted byidentifying information area stating its own terminal adaptor ID (TAID)or display unit ID (DUID), receiving status/control type area statingreceiving status, data length area stating length of the header section,and header CRC area to check communication error of the header section.For example, code of self-diagnosis, internal setting data transferring,receiving status of correcting data transferring etc. are assigned inthe receiving status/control type area. The control data area and datasection CRC area to check communication error of data sectionconstitutes the data section. Self-diagnosis data, internal settingdata, correcting data etc. are assigned as data of the data area.

[0093] [Display Displaying Control as an Embodiment of The LightingControl]

[0094] Next, a communication method of the display data transferringfrom the control unit 1 to each of the display units 3 is described.When the image changes in video rate (for example 60 Hz), the controlunit 1 transfers frame cycle start packet (csp) stating start of framecycle to all of the display units via the terminal adaptors 2 everyVsync signal stating start of the frame. Each of the display unitsreceiving the frame cycle start packet (csp) performs framesynchronizing in the each of the display units.

[0095] After transferring the frame cycle start packet (csp), thecontrol unit 1 transfers display data packet (ddp) assigned the displaydata to be displayed at each of the display units in the data section toeach of the display units via the terminal adaptors 2. The display datapacket (ddp) includes information to determine action of the displayunit such as image, which is motion pictures, still pictures etc. to bedisplayed at the display unit, or lighting information etc. when thedisplay unit is used as lighting. Each of the terminal adaptorsreceiving the display data packet (ddp) compares the TAID included inthe identifying information with its own terminal adaptor ID (TAID), andstores the display data packet (ddp) into the memory 23 when both of theTAID agree. Further, Each of the terminal adaptors 2 receiving thedisplay data packet (ddp) transfers the display data packet (ddp) storedin the memory to each of the display units 3 connected with each of theterminal adaptors 2. Then, each of the display units 3 receiving thedisplay data packet (ddp) compares the DUID in the identifyinginformation with its own display unit ID (DUID), and performs receivingprocess when both of the DUID agree.

[0096] The display data transferred to each of the display unit 3 isstored into the memory 33 in each of the display units 3, and controlledfor displaying. Thus each of the display units displays the image basedon the display data distributed by the control unit 1, so that display10 can displays the image totally.

[0097] [Connection Among Deferent Type Units]

[0098]FIG. 12 shows a schematic diagram of the display unitcommunication system, which has the display 10 divided into a pluralityof display areas 10 a displaying the image by an displaying waycorresponding to each of the divided display areas 10 a. By transferringthe command data with data format corresponding to each of the divideddisplay areas 10 a to each of the display units 3, one control unit 1can control image displaying of each of the display areas 10 a. Forexample, the display 10 is divided into display area for characterdisplaying 10 a 1, display area for motion pictures 10 a 2, and displayarea for still pictures 10 a 3, which have deferent displaying ways, andcan displays the image in display units disposed in the areascorresponding to the areas.

[0099] As one embodiment, display units that have matrix having 24×24(24 rows 24 columns) pixels with 2 bit every RGB color tones, or 4gradation displaying, display units that have dot matrix having 16×16with 8 bit every RGB color tones, or 256 gradation displaying, anddisplay units that have dot matrix having 16×16 with 10 bit every RGBcolor tones, or 1024 gradation displaying are connected in the displayarea for character displaying 10 a 1, display area for motion pictures10 a 2, and display area for still pictures 10 a 3 respectively.

[0100] Although, each of the display areas 10 a is not necessary to setcorresponding to the display blocks units, it is preferable to set eachof the display areas 10 a corresponding to the display blocks units fordisplaying control.

[0101] [Communication Among Deferent Type Units]

[0102] The data length of the command data with data formatcorresponding to each of the divided display areas 10 a is set bycontrol data length area corresponding to number of the displayinggradation, matrix structures of the pixels, content color tones of onepixel and so on, and data to be needed to display in each of the displayunits is assigned into the control data. Further, code stating structureof the data can be assigned in a part of the control type area. Thus,one control unit 1 can control displaying of the display unitcommunication system with display units having deferent displayinggradations.

[0103] For example, in the case that the video rate (frame cycle) is 60Hz, serial transferring bit rate among the display units is 20 Mbps, thematrix structure of each of the display units is 16×16 having pixelswith RGB color tones LED per pixel, when the displaying gradation is10-16 bit, maximum number of connecting units is 24, when in thedisplaying gradation is 6-8 bit, maximum number of connecting units is48, when in the displaying gradation is 4 bit, maximum number ofconnecting units is 96, when in the displaying gradation is 2 bit,maximum number of connecting units is 192, when in the displayinggradation is 1 bit, maximum number of connecting units is 384, so thatmaximum number of connecting units can be variable. Further, to changecommunication way among the display units to TTL, TIA/EiA422B,TIA/EIA644B (LVDS), TIA/EIA568A etc., for example, serial transferringbit rate and transferring distance can be variable properly. Furthermore, to select data compression way corresponding to displaying typeproperly, maximum number of connecting units can increase more.

[0104] [Connection of Three-dimensional Units]

[0105]FIG. 13 shows an embodiment of a spherical three-dimensionaldisplay 10, to which the display communication system according to thepresent invention applies. Here, the spherical three-dimensional display10 is divided into display blocks 10 b every rows, each number ofdisplay blocks 10 b of the rows is not necessary to be same number. Inthe embodiment of FIG. 13, first and sixth row of the display aredivided into four display blocks respectively, second to fifth row aredivided into six display blocks 10 b. Further, each of the displayblocks is not necessary to be same pixel matrix structure, pixel numberand pixel arrangement of display units 3 can be designed correspondingto shapes, position or the like properly. FIG. 13b is a generalschematic of the spherical three-dimensional display 10 of FIG. 13a,which is spread by the display block 10 b.

[0106] As shown arrow with dotted line in FIG. 13, the TAIDcorresponding to the display block 10 b are assigned from the terminaladaptor 2 connected at upstream position from the control unit 1 in m-throw to the neighbor terminal adaptor 2 in the row one after anotherserially with increment by one, similar to connection of the firstcommunication line L1 among the terminal adaptors 2 described above.Next, the TAID are assigned from the terminal adaptor 2 connected at endof the m-th row to the terminal adaptor 2 disposed in (m+1)-th row atopposite side position against the terminal adaptor 2 connected at theupstream position in the m-th row. Then, the TAID are assigned to theneighbor terminal adaptor in the row one after another serially indirection toward the terminal adaptor side connected at the upstreamposition in m-th row with increment by one.

[0107] In the embodiment of FIG. 13b, the TAID of left end display blockin the first row is assigned 1, and 2, 3, 4 are assigned toward rightdirection one after another. Next, the TAID of display block in thesecond row disposed at opposite side position against the display blockassigned 1 in the first row is assigned 5, and 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 areassigned toward left direction, which is direction toward the displayblock assigned 1 in this case, one after another. Similarly, the TAIDare assigned 11-16 from left to right direction in the third row, 17-22from right to left direction in the forth row, 23-28 from left to rightdirection in the fifth row, 29-32 from right to left direction in thesixth row, one by another.

[0108] Number of the display unit 3 divided in each row in each of thedisplay block 10 b is not necessary to be same, similar to dividing intodisplay blocks 10 b, and method to add ID can be employed similar to theTAID, which is ID of the display unit 3. Further, pixel number of eachdisplay unit 3 is not necessary to be same, pixel number and pixelarrangement can be designed corresponding to shapes, position or thelike properly.

[0109] [Communication of Three-dimensional Units]

[0110] The command data with data format corresponding to each of thedivided display blocks 10 b is distributed to each of the display blocks10 b by the TAID corresponding to the display blocks 10 b, so thatdisplaying control can be achieved even number of the connected displayblocks 10 b per row is not constant. In the command data, data lengthstating area DL states necessary data length corresponding to displayinggradation number, pixel arrangement, pixel number, color tone number perpixel or the like; data to be needed to display in each of the displayunits is assigned to control data. Further, code stating data structureassigned in the control data can be assigned in a part of the controltype area. Thus, even number of the connected display blocks and displayunits per row is not constant in the display communication system, onecontrol unit can control to display.

[0111] [Management System]

[0112] Further, it can perform control and monitor of each of thedisplay units 3 via the information process apparatus connected with thecontrol unit 1 that each of the display units 3 has function to monitorof driver improperness, improperness such as disconnection,communication improperness, temperature or the like, and to inform datacorresponding to each of the function as the response data to thecontrol unit 1.

[0113] For example, the computer 12 etc. connected with the control unit1 can performs control of the each of the display units 3, terminaladaptors 2, power source or the like, and monitor based on impropernessof constant current output, improperness of temperature of internaldriver IC, various interference information such as frame synchronizinginterference, internal setting information such as resister informationof control section of the display unit 3, temperature monitorinformation stating temperature of surface of driver substrates in thedisplay units 3, or power source monitor information monitoring voltageof the power source to the display units 3.

[0114] Embodiments

[0115] Although the display unit communication system is described belowas a more concrete embodiment according to the present invention appliedwith asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) for transferring thereinafter, thepresent embodiment is illustrative and not restrictive. In thisembodiment, communication of the first communication line among theterminal adaptors employs higher speed communication than communicationof the second communication line among the display units. Here, it isdescribed that an embodiment employs LED display units as the displayunits 3 and serial communication in each of communication.

[0116] Further, the first communication line L1 communicates inbroadband communication with cable for high speed transmission among theterminal adaptors, and the second communication line L2 communicateswith cable for low speed transmission among the display units in each ofthe display blocks, so that it can communicate among the terminaladaptors in long distance transmission and connect each of the displayblocks flexibly without cost up.

[0117] [A Control Unit]

[0118] The control unit 1 receives the display data such as the imagesource from the video processor 11 or the image player via the imageinput interface 11 b 1, and stores the display data such as image datain the image data memory 131 as digital data by frame. Further, thecontrol unit 1 has the communication interface 11 b 2 connected with theexternal control device such as the computer 12, and stores control datafrom the external control device in the control data memory 132. Thecontrol unit 1 performs internal control of the control unit, transfersbrightness correcting data, display unit control data etc. to thedisplay units based on the control data stored in the control datamemory 132, and further receives display unit internal information etc.transferred from the display units. The communication section 11 aformats the display data and control data into predeterminedcommunication format to communicate with the terminal adaptors 2, andperforms communication process between the terminal adaptors 2.

[0119] The control unit 1 receives digital data from the video processor11, which is image data, or digital data analog/digital-converted fromanalog data as the display data at the image input interface 11 b 1, andstores the display data in the image data memory 131. Further, thecontrol unit 1 receives the control data at the communication section 11b 2, and stores in the control data memory 132.

[0120] The control unit 1 transfers the command data such as frame cyclestart packet (csp) and the display data packet (ddp) based on thedisplay data stored in the memory 131. At that time, the communicationsection 11 a converts the data to be transferred into packet format ofthe ATM communication of data-strobe system, and transfers it. Further,communication section 11a converts packet format data of the ATMcommunication of data-strobe system transferred from the terminaladaptors 2 and the display units 3 into parallel data, and inputs to thecontrol data memory 132.

[0121] [Terminal Adaptors]

[0122] The terminal adaptor 2 is constituted by the communicationsection 21 a to communicate with the control unit 1 or the otherterminal adaptors, the communication section 21 b to communicate withthe display units 3, the memory 23 to store communicated data etc. andcontrol section 22 to write and read in the memory 23 and to performsinternal control. The terminal adaptor 2 is set the TAID in initialsetting precedently, stores its own TAID, and receives received databased on the TAID selectively. Then, the terminal adaptor 2 transfersthe received data to the display units 3 connected with the terminaladaptor. Further, when the terminal adaptor 2 has a plurality of thedisplay unit interfaces, the terminal adaptor 2 discriminates whichdisplay unit interface should transfer the data.

[0123] [LED Display Units as The Displaying Devices]

[0124]FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a schematic of the LED displayunit. The communication section 31 has two ports similar to thecommunication section 21 a of the terminal adaptor, and performsbi-directional communication process.

[0125] In the display unit 3, image data such as the display data,brightness correcting data, the control data and so on are allocated topredetermined memory space in the memory 33 corresponding to circuitconfiguration of the internal display unit. It performs control of thedisplay unit 3, which part of the memory space is accessed, or whichdata area of the memory space is written or read, to control from thecontrol unit 1 to the display unit 3.

[0126] When the DUID received command data at the communication section31 of the display unit 3 matches stored its own DUID, the control dataof the command data is written into memory area designated by thecontrol address and control data length.

[0127] When the command data has the display data, the display unit 2stores the display data corresponding to one frame in the memory, afterreceiving, the control section reads the display data. Then, the displaydata to be displayed is transferred to LED drivers 341 withsynchronizing with line control of a common driver 340. The line controlof the common driver drives LED of each line by changing each of commonline in predetermined cycle one by after. At that time, the data to bedisplayed in each line of the memory is allocated corresponding to eachline, the control section 32 reads the display data corresponding toline to be displayed from the memory 33.

[0128] Thus, the image is displayed in matrix display 30 of the displayunit 3 by driving the pixels. In the embodiment, one example of the LEDdisplay 3 is shown that one common driver and four LED drivers drivepixels constituted by a plurality of dots, which are LEDs correspondingto RGB.

[0129] In the embodiment, the memory 33 of the LED display unit 3 has bytwo memory areas 331, 332. The two memory areas can be constituted bytwo SRAMs, for example. The memory stores display data in alternativememory areas every one frame by turns. As shown in FIG. 15, each ofmemory areas has memory areas corn adr 0, 1, 2, 3 to store the displaydata corresponding to the common address. During image based on thedisplay data stored in one of memory areas is displayed in the LEDdisplay unit 3 in the one frame cycle, the display data to be displayedin next frame cycle is received as the command data, and stored intoanother memory area. In addition, the LED display unit can have afurther memory such as EEPROM to store the its own TAID set precedently,brightness correcting data for each of the LED and so on.

[0130] [A Schema of Command Control]

[0131] The control unit 1 transfers data to be transferred to thedisplay unit to be controlled by discriminating which part of thecontrol memory space corresponds to the terminal adaptor 2 and thedisplay unit 3 in view from the control unit 1 . The control addressspace is constituted by TAID control address space discriminated by theTAID, display unit control address space discriminated by the DUID ineach of the terminal adaptors 2, and DU memory map allocated in each ofthe display units 3. The DU memory map is varied in dependence onperformance and function of the display unit 3 such as matrixconstitution, gradation bit width, whether the display unit needscorrecting data or not or the like. Accordingly, the control unit 1controls displaying of the display, after discriminating type of thedisplay unit 3 precedently.

[0132] [Image Displaying Control of The Display Unit]

[0133]FIG. 16 shows an embodiment of communicating the display data inone frame in the display unit communication system according to thepresent invention.

[0134] The control unit 1 transfers the frame cycle start packet (csp)stating start of frame cycle as the command data to all of the displayunit 3 corresponding to every Vsync stating to synchronizing signal ofone frame, when image changes in video rate (for example 60 Hz). Then,the control unit 1 transfers the display data packets (ddp), which arethe display data packets ddp1, ddp2, ddp3, . . . , ddpn one by aftercorresponding to the display units DU1, 2, 3, . . . , n constituting thedisplay 10 , as the command data in one frame cycle. Here, theidentifying information corresponding to the connecting configuration ofthe terminal adaptors 2 and the display unit 3 is assigned to each ofthe display data packets ddp1, ddp2, ddp3, . . . , ddpn transferred fromthe control unit 1.

[0135] Each of the display units 3 receiving the frame cycle startpacket (csp) performs frame synchronizing. At that time, each thedisplay units 3 does not perform response process corresponding to theframe cycle start packet (csp), and does not transfer the response data(res). Next, each of the display units 3 performs receiving process,when the identifying information of the display data packet (dsp)received by the each of the display units 3 matches its own display unitID (DUID). The display data packet received by the each of the displayunits 3 is stored into one of the two memories 331, 331 in the memory 33alternatively, and controlled to display in next frame cycle.

[0136]FIG. 16 is an embodiment of timing chart showing displayingcontrol of the display unit DU1-3. The display unit DU1 outputsframe-synchronizing signal Vsync, when receiving the frame cycle startpacket (csp). Corresponding to the output of the frame-synchronizingsignal Vsync, blank signal (blank) corresponding to display cycle ofeach line of the matrix display 30 is generated. Corresponding to theblank signal (blank), the common driver 340 and the line drivers 341corresponding to each of the data controls the each of the LED to light,and displays image based on each of the data of the address corn adr 0,1, 2, 3 stored in the memory during last frame cycle. Here, thisembodiment shows that each of pixels is driven corresponding to the eachof line as ¼ duty, and in ½ frame cycle divided in one frame, same imageis displayed twice in each of the ½ frame cycles as double-speedlighting control. The multi-speed lighting control can prevent flickerof displaying. Further, the line drivers 341 or drive line driving theLED can drive at random to prevent flicker of displaying.

[0137] Further more, lighting start timing of each of the display units3, which is timing from output of the frame-synchronizing signal Vsynctill generating timing of the blank signal (blank) in each of thedisplay unit, can be shift with predetermined time Td as shown DU2, DU3in FIG. 16. Accordingly, huge amount of the driving start current instart of lighting LED can be scattered to each of the LED driver. Inaddition, reset gap is inserted between the frame cycle start packet(csp) and the display data packet (ddp), and between each of the displaydata packets (ddp) to set time not to transfer in predetermined time, tosynchronize each of communication packets in receiver side.

[0138] Further, in the embodiment, the display unit is shown as matrixdisplay having a plurality of pixels disposed with LED as light emittingelements, the display unit can be constituted by one or more disposedpixel corresponding to light emitting elements. The light emittingelements can be liquid crystal, EL devices, PDP, bulbs such as inbillboard or the like. Further more, the light emitting elements can beneon tube and so on, the display data can be employed as gradation ofthe lighting density.

[0139] As this invention may be embodied in several forms withoutdeparting from the spirit of essential characteristics thereof, thepresent embodiment is therefore illustrative and not restrictive, sincethe scope according to the present invention is defined by the appendedclaims rather than by the description preceding them, and all changesthat fall within meets and bounds of the claims, or equivalence of suchmeets and bounds thereof are therefore intended to be embraced by theclaims.

[0140] Industrial Applicability

[0141] As described above, the invention can provide a lightingapparatus and a communication method therein, which can adjust toapplications flexibly. For example, display units, which have differentlighting gradation, pixel number, arrangement or the like, can becontrolled in common communication system and communication method.Further, the invention can provide a display unit, a communicationcircuit, and a terminal adaptor, which can be used in the lightingapparatus system and the communication method therein, which can adjustto applications flexibly.

1. A lighting apparatus comprising: a control unit providing displaydata packets set destination of communication by identifying informationfor a plurality of display units; at least one terminal adaptorsassigned terminal adaptor ID and connected with the control unitelectrically via upper communication line; the display units disposingat least one light emitting elements, assigned display unit ID,connected with the terminal adaptor electrically via lower communicationline, and driving each of the disposed light emitting elements based onthe display data packets provided by the control unit; wherein thedisplay data packet includes al least the terminal adaptor ID and thedisplay unit ID as an identifying information; the terminal adaptorreceives the display data packet having the identifying informationincluding the terminal adaptor ID, which matches the terminal adaptor IDassigned to the terminal adaptor, and transfers the display data packetto the display units via the lower communication line; and the displayunit receives the display data packet having the identifying informationincluding display unit ID, which matches the display unit ID assigned tothe display unit, and drives the light emitting elements based on thedisplay data packets.
 2. The lighting apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the control unit transfers frame cycle start packet statingstart of frame cycle, the frame cycle start packet being assigned theidentifying information stating to be received by all of the displayunits; and the display unit performs frame synchronizing based on theframe cycle start packet.
 3. The lighting apparatus according to claim1, wherein the display unit further comprises a memory storing at leastdisplay data; memory space in the memory allocates data area inaccordance with circuitry in the display unit precedently; and thecontrol unit transfers communication packet and controls the displayunits by accessing to predetermined memory area of the display unitallocated precedently.
 4. A lighting apparatus comprising: a controlunit providing display data packet to a plurality of display units; atleast one terminal adaptors assigned terminal adaptor ID and having aterminal adaptor side communication section connected with the controlunit electrically via upper communication line; and the display unitsassigned display unit ID, having a display unit side communicationsection connected with the terminal adaptor electrically via lowercommunication line, and driving at least one of the disposed lightemitting elements based on the display data packets provided by thecontrol unit; wherein the terminal adaptors and/or the display units arearranged in n rows (n is two or more integer), each of the communicationsections being connected each other serially at each of the rows; thecommunication section of the terminal adaptors and/or the display unitsare connected which is arranged at end position of the lowest streamviewed from the control unit in m-th row (m is integer, which is1≦m≦n−1) with which is arranged in (m+1)-th row at end position on sameside as the communication section of the terminal adaptors and/or thedisplay units is located in m-th row.
 5. The lighting apparatusaccording to claims 1-4, wherein communication at the uppercommunication line employs higher speed communication than communicationat the lower communication line.
 6. A communication method using displaydata packets in a lighting apparatus which comprises: a control unitproviding display data packets to a plurality of display units, at leastone terminal adaptors assigned terminal adaptor ID and connected withthe control unit electrically via upper communication line; the displayunit having display section which drives at least one of disposed lightemitting elements based on the display data packets provided by controlunit, and a memory which has memory space in accordance with arrangementof the light emitting elements, number of color tones constituting onepixel and gradation number, the display unit being assigned display unitID, and connected with the terminal adaptor electrically via lowercommunication line; and wherein the display data packet furthercomprises at least identifying information area retaining the terminaladaptor ID and the display unit ID, memory space allotting areaallotting memory space of the display units to be input, display dataarea having display data in accordance with arrangement of the lightemitting elements, and number of color tones constituting one pixel andgradation number.
 7. A display unit comprising a display sectiondisposing a plurality of pixels constituted by at least one lightemitting elements in matrix, a communication section performing packetcommunication, a memory storing at least one frame display data, adriving section driving each of the light emitting elements of thedisplay section wherein the display unit further comprising a controlsection generating blank signal stating start of driving cycle for eachline based on frame cycle start packet stating start of frame cyclereceived by the communication section; and the driving section reads thedisplay data stored in the memory based on the blank signal for each ofline, and drives each of the light emitting elements to display image inthe display section.
 8. The display unit according to claim 7 whereinthe memory further stores shift timing data stating time from receivingthe frame cycle start packet to generating the blank signal; and thecontrol section generates the blank signal based on the shift timingdata after receiving the frame cycle start packet.
 9. The display unitaccording to claim 7-8, wherein the memory has two or more image datamemory areas storing the display data per frame, and during the displaysection displays image based on the display data stored in one of theimage data memory areas, the display section stores the display datareceived by the communication section at other image data memory areas.10. A communication circuit comprising: a first communication sectionhaving a first transmitting section and a first receiving section; asecond communication section having a second transmitting section and asecond receiving section; a communication control section controllingcommunication at the first communication section and the secondcommunication section; receiving processing section performing receivingprocess based on received communication data; wherein the firstcommunication section and the second communication section distinguishespredetermined communication data; and in case either the firstcommunication section or the second communication section receives thepredetermined communication data alternatively, the communicationcontrol section controls to input the communication data received by thecommunication sections receiving the predetermined communication datainto the receiving processing section, and to input the communicationdata into other communication sections so as to input communication datareceived by other communication sections into the transmitting sectionof the communication sections receiving the predetermined communicationdata without inputting it into the receiving processing section.
 11. Thecommunication circuit according to claim 10, further comprising: aresponse processing section which performs transferring process of thecommunication data; a first selector connecting either the secondreceiving section or the response processing section with the firsttransmitting section alternatively; a second selector connecting eitherthe first receiving section or the response processing section with thesecond transmitting section alternatively; a third selector connectingeither the first receiving section or the second receiving section withthe receiving processing section alternatively; and wherein thecommunication control section controls the first selector and the secondselector to input the communication data received by one communicationsection receiving the predetermined communication data into thereceiving process section and to input it into the transmitting sectionof other communication section, and controls the third selector to inputthe communication data received by the other communication section intothe transmitting section of the communication section receiving thepredetermined communication data without inputting the communicationdata into the receiving processing section, based on signal which statesthe predetermined communication data is received from either the firstcommunication section or the second communication section.
 12. Thecommunication circuit according to claims 10-11, wherein the firstreceiving section and the second receiving section convert inputtedserial communication data into parallel communication data and receiveit; and the first transmitting section and the second transmittingsection convert inputted parallel communication data into serialcommunication data and transfer it.
 13. A display unit having thecommunication circuit recited in claims 10-12, further comprising: adisplay section constituted by at least one light emitting elements; acommunication circuit communicating display data; a memory storing thedisplay data for at least one frame based on the display data receivedby the communication circuit; and a driving section driving each of thelight emitting elements in the display section.
 14. A terminal adaptorhaving the communication circuit recited in claims 10-12, wherein thecommunication circuit is capable to communicate with other terminaladaptors connected serially, the terminal adaptor further comprising: amemory storing communication data received by the communication circuit;and a communication section transferring the communication data storedin the memory to other terminals.